Mathew Amaechi
Tensions are rising in Bayelsa State as host communities in Samabiri/Biseni Cluster Location, comprising Osekwenike, Osifo, and Abuetor in Sagbama Local Government Area, have vowed to shut down an oil facility operated by Oando Energy Resources Nigeria Limited. The communities are protesting the non-recognition by Tantita Security Services Limited, which they claim has ignored their pleas for dialogue.
In a joint statement signed by the Presidents General of the three communities – Anthony Okorie (Osekwenike), Comrade Augustin Ogodo (Osifo), and Comrade Bartholomew Uti (Abuetor) – the host communities expressed their frustration over the lack of recognition. They revealed that they had exhausted all avenues for dialogue, including a letter to Tantita Security Services dated September 30, 2024, which was acknowledged on October 2, 2024.
The statement Reads: “We are calling on the Managing Director, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, the Coordinator, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, Bayelsa Operations and management of the company to as a matter of urgency invite the leaders of the three communities for a roundtable meeting.
“We are also calling on the government of Bayelsa state, the Minister of state for Petroleum Resources (Oil) and the Group Managing Director, Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to prevail on the oil and gas surveillance companies operating in Bayelsa state to recognize Osekwenike, Osifo and Abuetor communities as host communities and relate with them accordingly.
“While we commend the Managing Director, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo a.k.a Tompolo, for raising the bar of oil and gas facilities surveillance in the Niger Delta, we look forward to a robust discussion with our communities on the above subject matter without which we will be left with no other option than to shutdown oil operation at the Samabiri/Biseni Cluster Location until our youths are engaged.
“We are therefore giving a four-week ultimatum from the day of this publication to attend to the demands raised above through our agent whose phone numbers appeared in a previous letter we addressed to Tantita dated 30th September, 2024.” The statement concluded.
This development is reminiscent of a similar protest by Isoko-speaking communities in Bayelsa State, who threatened to shut down an Agip facility over disputes related to the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU).
The host communities are demanding recognition and resolution of their grievances, warning that they will take drastic measures if their concerns are ignored.
